The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a pale glow over the Academy's sprawling grounds. Eren sat alone in his room, the grimoire open before him. The faint hum of its power was a constant reminder of the responsibility—and the danger—he carried.
"You've decided," the grimoire's voice whispered, its tone laced with approval.
Eren nodded. "If I'm going to survive, if I'm going to protect her, I need more than just power. I need allies. People I can trust—or at least control."
The grimoire chuckled. "Trust is a fragile thing, Eren. But control? That, you can master. Tell me, who will you bring into your fold?"
Eren leaned back, closing his eyes. Faces flickered through his mind, students and staff alike, each with their strengths and weaknesses. But one stood out, a figure he had crossed paths with earlier that day: Kael.
The silver-haired transfer student had been relentless in their sparring match, his eyes alight with curiosity and ambition. There was something in Kael's demeanor that set him apart from the others—a hunger for more, a willingness to push boundaries.
"He's strong," Eren said. "And he's ambitious. If I can channel that ambition, he could be useful."
The grimoire's voice hummed with agreement. "A wise choice. But be careful, Eren. Ambition is a double-edged sword. If he sees you as a stepping stone, he won't hesitate to cut you down."
Eren's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Then I'll make sure he understands who's in control."
The Approach
The following day, Eren watched Kael from a distance. The transfer student moved with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, his sharp eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. He wasn't just observing—he was calculating, assessing everyone and everything around him.
After class, Eren approached him. Kael was leaning against a wall near the training grounds, his spear strapped to his back.
"Eren," Kael greeted, his smirk returning. "Didn't expect you to seek me out. What's the occasion?"
Eren kept his expression neutral. "I have a proposition for you."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Oh? This should be interesting."
"Not here," Eren said, his voice low. "Follow me."
Curiosity flickered in Kael's eyes, but he nodded, pushing off the wall. Eren led him to the edge of the forest, to the same clearing where he often trained in secret.
"What's this about?" Kael asked, crossing his arms.
Eren turned to face him, his gaze steady. "You're strong, Kael. But strength alone isn't enough. The world outside the Academy is dangerous, filled with people and forces that won't hesitate to crush you. If you want to survive, you need allies. A network."
Kael's smirk widened. "And I suppose you're offering me a place in this... network of yours?"
"Not a network," Eren corrected. "An organization. One that operates in the shadows, beyond the reach of the Academy or the authorities. Together, we can achieve things that others can't even dream of."
Kael studied him for a moment, his smirk fading into a thoughtful expression. "An organization, huh? Sounds ambitious. But why me?"
"Because I see potential in you," Eren said simply. "And because I think you understand what it means to play the long game."
Kael chuckled. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Eren. But I have to admit, I'm intrigued. What's the catch?"
Eren stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Loyalty. Once you're in, there's no turning back. Betrayal isn't an option."
The air grew tense as Kael considered his words. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, Eren. I'm in. But if this backfires, don't expect me to go down quietly."
Eren's smirk matched Kael's. "Then make sure it doesn't backfire."
The Initiation
That night, under the cover of darkness, Eren brought Kael to the clearing once more. The grimoire floated before them, its dark energy pulsating softly.
"What is this?" Kael asked, his voice tinged with awe and unease.
"The heart of our organization," Eren said. "The source of our power."
Kael reached out as if to touch it, but Eren's voice stopped him. "Careful. This power isn't something to be taken lightly. If you want to be part of this, you'll need to prove yourself."
Kael's hand dropped, and he turned to face Eren. "What do I have to do?"
Eren gestured to the grimoire, which opened to reveal a blank page. "Swear your loyalty. Offer a piece of yourself to the shadows. Only then will you be bound to this organization."
Kael hesitated, his eyes narrowing. "A piece of myself? What does that mean?"
"It's a test of resolve," Eren said. "The grimoire will take something from you—something it deems necessary. But in return, it will grant you power."
Kael's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Fine. Let's do this."
The grimoire's pages began to glow, and a tendril of shadow reached out, wrapping around Kael's wrist. He winced as the shadow seemed to pull something from him, a faint shimmer of light disappearing into the grimoire.
When it was over, Kael staggered but remained standing. The grimoire's voice echoed in Eren's mind.
"He is worthy."
Kael looked down at his hands, a faint aura of dark energy now surrounding them. "What... what is this?"
"Your initiation," Eren said. "Welcome to the organization."
Kael grinned, his earlier unease replaced with exhilaration. "This... this is incredible."
Eren watched him carefully, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. Kael was the first, but he wouldn't be the last. His organization was beginning to take shape, and with each new member, his power—and his influence—would grow.
But deep down, he knew that this path was not without its risks. Trust was fragile, and ambition was dangerous. If he wasn't careful, the very organization he was building could become his undoing.